Recently, I have started using HelloFresh to see what all of the fuss was about.

It seemed quite simple how it would be beneficial, but after using it for a short while here are the main benefits that I have found:

• Less wasted time going to the supermarket

• Less consumption of processed food

• Less food wastage

• Improved confidence when it comes to cooking

In a fast-paced world where everything is available at a moment’s notice, I had become accustomed to just “bunging” something quick into the oven for dinner, but really this is bad for my health, the environment, and my cooking skills.

Is HelloFresh expensive?

Me being me, this is the first thing I looked at.

The price generally depends on the plan that you are looking at, but assuming you are buying 5 recipes per week it comes to:

• 2 people - £43.98 per week

• 3 people - £61.98 per week

• 4 people - £69.98 per week

At first, I thought this seemed excessively expensive due to how much cheaper you could make meals from the supermarket.

However, when you consider the vast array of different recipes you can order and how much it would cost to buy all the ingredients for some of these I actually think that it’s a bargain.

Especially when considering the time-saving of getting everything delivered, and the stress-saving of not having to think about what to make each week.

Get HelloFresh cheaper!

Luckily HelloFresh have a great referral scheme, which is the best way to try it out in my opinion.

If you sign up to HelloFresh via my link here you can get £47 off your first three boxes.

Assuming that you are ordering 5 recipes for two people (the option we currently do) you will be paying the following for the first three weeks instead:

• Week 1: £16.99 (£1.70 per serving)

• Week 2: £33.98 (£3.40 per serving)

• Week 3: £33.98 (£3.40 per serving)

What’s more, if you don’t like it after the first week’s box (which is a bargain if you ask me) you can cancel it without having any problems or requirements to get extra boxes!

Is HelloFresh any good?

I think so! Each week, you can log into your account online and select your recipes from a list of about 30 meals (which change every single week) and you can see the following before ordering:

• Full ingredients list

• Any ingredients you will need extra (usually just water, oil, sugar, and salt and pepper)

• Utensils required to cook the recipe

• Calorie information

• The recipe instructions to see if it seems complicated

What you get in the box

When you get your HelloFresh box delivered you can pick a time slot for a fee or choose a day and the courier will email you the rough time of delivery the day of/ before delivery.

It arrives in a cardboard box with ice inside to keep all of the food fresh alongside your recipe cards for all recipes inside.

You will then have your meat all in one bag to keep it separate, alongside a bag for each recipe including all of the ingredients required for those recipes.

Tips for newbies

• Note that you will pay more if you choose a “Premium” meal online (not many of these but clearly labelled; salmon, steak etc.)

• Always double-check you have all your ingredients when the delivery arrives (only ever been given more, rather than anything missing!)

• Check the dates on the food and eat the meals in the order of expiry (all will last for the week ahead though, and can be frozen if plans change)

• Check what the last date changes can be made (to recipes, delivery slots, or cancellations)

• Opt-in for treats (we recently received a free bar of chocolate in one of our orders)